So we’re non dog people in that neither me or the missus grew up with dogs. We’ve been thinking about getting one for the last couple of years for a variety of reasons, mainly as a addition to our family/companion for our now 4 year old son. I’d also like something to bark at potential intruders and generally put people off breaking in to our house.

The missus is a stay at home mum, and we have a big garden. We’re looking for training classes/schools to make sure neither the dog or us don’t start off with any bad habits. I’m just a bit concerned that we still don’t fully understand everything involved in looking after a dog, any pointers, success or horror stories from anyone?

Our extensive breed research has pointed us towards a soft coated wheaten terrier so far, we need a low allergy dog due to our sons Asthma and long list of allergies.

I never had a dog as a nipper but got one when out daughter was born. My daughter is now a healthy teenager and my dog is old and falling apart at the seams. Had some great times with him but I don’t think I will bother again.

Have you got plenty of spare time for walkies?

And you won’t mind being restricted in terms of going away?

You’re not having more kids are you? Having a baby and puppy at the same time is a bit of an ordeal, to say the least.

I’d also like something to bark at potential intruders

and annoy your neighbours

I was going to suggest a Labradoodle but according to this, it might just be hype, that and a friends family bought a labradoodle puppy (not cheap either) but our friend say it’s turned out more wolf-hound than poodle…

We got a Westie for our 6 year old daughter. She’s now 17. She’s walked the thing 4 times. Every other time it’s been me or her mum. We can’t all be out of the house at the same time for very long because “it’s not fair on him”. The thing adopted me and follows me around everywhere. It never wants to play with anybody else. Just me. I can’t wait for it all to be over. Vet bills. Food bills. Toys. Attention. Walks in the rain. Dog hair on everything. Barking in the night. Crying to go out in the night. The sooner it’s gone the better.
Yeah…..on balance, I think it’s a bad idea.

Sister in law has a Cockapoo (Cocker / Poodle hybrid in case you didn’t get that). It’s a lovely dog and apparently hypoallergenic too.

It would be worth taking your son to meet some dogs though and certainly to spending a few hours with them before buying to make sure he doesn’t have reactions. FWIW I have asthma and allergies (Cats / Rabbits / Pollen etc) but I’m absolutely fine with dogs so it needn’t be a barrier and you may find that you don’t need a hypoallergenic dog. In fact I’m pretty sure the term ‘hypoallergenic dog’ wasn’t around when I was a nipper and I turned out just fine 😉

We’ve had our fog for nearly a year now, my first, wife had one as a kid. Much the same criteria as the OP’s, a pet for my son and had to be non shedding as my wife is asthmatic. We also got a Cockerpoo.

You do have to put a lot of effort in both in training and socialisation when young and ongoing with walks even when it’s topping down but it’s definitely worth it.

A Wheaten terrier, you say…
Proper terriers with a stubborn streak. I know a few, but one, Brock, is good mates with my Fell Terrier. I haven’t seen him for a while and it appears he’s on an asbo. Brock and his mates, Buster the lurcher and Colin the Scaredy dog mugged a Spaniel trainer for her special homemade liver dog treats. They weren’t aggressive- just not taking no for an answer…

When I was growing up at home with my folks we just had cats , been married a good few years now , we got a black lab bitch who is 2.5 years old now took her to puppy/socialisation classes etc and is a lovely dog with a great temperament , we also now have a red/yellow lab bitch who has just turned one and can’t fault her , both are a bit boisterous and excitable at times and the hairs drive the other half mad but we wouldn’t be without them now 🙂

I can identify with your comment Monksie.

Our whippet is a lovely gentle creature and we do love him, but the need for attention can be exhausting when you’ve got a lot of other things on your plate and you finally get to have a sit down about 9pm – with a view to going to bed at 10pm.

Are you happy picking up warm dog shit? Seems that most of the dog owners I meet aren’t. Why not practice by going round your local parks, playgrounds and paths and volunteering to clean up after other folks dogs?

We have a five year old lurcher and a 4 year old boy. I had dogs as a kid mrs didnt. Walking the dog twice a day means the boy is out in all weathers at least once a day, he loves it. Dog always walked twice. Mrs wouldnt be without a dog now. Dogs take a lot of work and training when young but when you have a well trained dog that can be off lead on walks, left in the back yard happy all day without barking, sleeps all night and is safe with other dogs and kids its great. But if you dont put the work in early they can be a night mare by the look of it. If you are the type of person who this a dog walker is a good idea, dogs may not be for you.

We were non-dog people, with a dog. I’d still say we were non-dog people 🙂
walks. Do not underestimate the time and frequency required. Never mind the breed or what you read, 15mins around the streets it not enough.
Once the novelty wears off with the rest of the family, it’ll come down to one person usually to pick that up. Any weather. And there will be many days when you really won’t fancy it.

Finding good boarding for holidays.
Vets – mostly shit, and will rinse you.

Picking up the crap. Just do it, no excuses ever.

I would have classified myself as a non pooch person having never owned one growing up. I was never anti-dog, I just thought they were a bit smelly and didn’t really see the point in them.

My Missus convinced me to adopt a little mutt from the pound and I’m now definitely a dog person, I can’t imagine life without one now.

I didn’t grow up with dogs and adopted one later in life by way of marriage (stepdog!). They bring a lot of joy and family bonding, and always get you out as they HAVE to be walked, no messing. Since first one passed on we had another dog that turned out to be the runt with many many medical issues, has cost us 6 years worth of holidays in vet bills and aggro. He was attacked by another dog this year on the first day of our long awaited 3 week getaway. We had to rush back to see the vet and he was grounded for weeks fighting infection.

I love the little basket, can’t even sleep properly without the sound of him snoring, it’s soporific to the nth degree for me. but – it can be a big big commitment unless you have a farmy life and a farmy dog. Trying to figure out a dog trailer just so we can go on long cycle trails. (Not the kind of dog to jog along, has joint issues, stubborn issues, blah blah)

I have friends with dogs who never even visit the vet except yearly check ups, and the dogs entertain themselves for hours on end. Those would be collies with farmy people on farmy farms.

Best to get an 8 week old pup and PUT THE EFFORT IN EARLY and give yourself and the dog the best start, socialise as much as possible and teach it recall.The dog will reflect what you have put in to it,have you ever watched Ceasar Milan? One of the best things we have ever done.

Go to your local Dogs Trust and volunteer to be a walker and foster carer for them. They are always in need of people to socialise dogs and take them out. If after doing this for several months you still feel the way you do then go for it. My Aunty had Wheatens for 40yrs, strong willed and extremely powerful terriers. Not for the first time dog owner in my opinion. I would go for a Border they are superb little dogs.

I would definitely recommend thinking it through very carefully!

We got a cockapoo puppy in January this year, for the same allergy reasons as OP

It’s true they don ‘t shed and the temperament is lovely, however the demand on time and energy is huge, with a four year old and a seven year old plus the puppy it’s been a full on 10 months and I can’t say I’m sure what the benefit is. My wife and kids love her which is great but I could take her or leave her, loads of work and little reward.

I’m possibly a little grumpy as she’s eaten the in laws lounge carpet today as well as shredding part of their garden and tensions have been running high!

I’m a ‘non dog’ person who always ends up with a dog. My mum & dad always had dogs, Cockers, Labs & a Curly coated retriever. When I was married to my 1st mrs she wanted a dog so we/she got a Springer which ate the kitchen then jumped off a cliff.(not on the same day though) Then she came home with a Cocker one day which killed our rabbit then died from a chocolate overdose (after she left me I gave the dog away to a family who left it with a Grandmother when they went on holiday who fed it on Cadbury’s) We now have a Cavvy which is lovely but I refuse to walk it because I do not do dog shit & If I had my own way (which I don’t) I’d never have another dog again. Ever.

Monksie you are one selfish asshat…

Monksie, no your’e not.

I never had pets when growing but MrsG had dogs. We got a couple of Borders (one would have been better in hindsight) and that was 17yrs ago. We had a 9months gap between dog ownership last year and we missed having a dog in the family. Now on our third Border and I wouldn’t be without a dog. I love walking them and the companionship. However they are hard work and a commitment at times. Go into ownership with your eyes open.

You’ve cut me in half Julia, cut me in half………

I was always a non dog person but always liked Labradors. About 6 weeks ago a picture of a friend of a friends dog and her litter of choccy labs appeared on my FB timeline. That was it, I knew I had to have one.
So, following on from this thread http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/dog-running-costs we decided to go ahead and get this little fella

Say hi to Oscar

It is tiring, it is like having a little baby (I imagine) but he’s so worth it. I get off easy as he lives with Miss Houns, but I love every moment with him.
He turned 8 weeks old on Friday, had his first lot of jabs and now recognises his name. He’s got his own routine and let’s us know when needs to pee or poop.
As mentioned elsewhere on here, I’ve always been a cat man and I’ve always borked when I saw a dog lick someone’s face, now I’m both a cat and dog man and love it when Oscar licks me, he’s my best bud